Category: Richmond Public Library

RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025

Below is a list of items we track for the State Library report:
Library Stats:

Registered Library card holders- 263
Library visitors– 4,559
Reference transactions– 689
Books added– 391
Movies & TV shows added– 76
Computer Users– 1,340
Wireless Users– 677
Inter-library Loans- 1,845
Inter-library Borrowed– 525

Total Library Programing:

Kids under
34 – programs
216 – attendance

Kids 6-11
19 -Programs
192 -attendance

Teens
10 – Programs
66 – attendance

Adults
25 – Programs
173 – attendance

Program for Everyone
2 – programs
23 – attendance

Summer Reading Programs:
Kids 5 & under
8 – Program
113 – attendance

Kids 6-11
7 – programs
90 – attendance

Teens
9 – Programs
73 -attendance

Adults
6 – Programs
27 – attendance

Everyone
4 – programs
93 – attendance

The library has programing year round for all ages. We try to plan something for everyone. We have story time for the little ones [Wednesday @ 10 AM] Craft Club for the adults Friday @ 1:00 PM, twice a month. Books & Brunch our book club meets the 3rd Thursday @ 11:00 AM Crafts on most holidays for the kids, and any time we find something for them to make. Summer reading for everyone.
We have 6 computers for public use and 1 laptop for adult use. We offer fax and printing for a small fee.

We are a Fine Free library. We do not charge late fees. Patrons are only charged if they damage or lose library items.

At the end of 2025 the library owned;
We have over 1,750 DVD’s and over 380 TV shows and 38 Blu-ray movies
40 – Audio books and over 6,000 books [regular print, large print, non-fiction]
This library also has 21 Halloween Masks that can be checked out. No other library has that.

Hoopla is also Free with a Library Card

Keep an eye on the library Facebook page for up and coming events.

$558.00 was donated in summer reading supplies in 2025

We were able to have a few fundraisers this year, they did pretty good also, they help keep the library doors open.

2026 we plan on looking and filing for more grants.
Having our Spring & Christmas basket raffles. Taco dinner also in the spring.
Working the Fair stand and helping with supplies, for our share of the profits. Maybe a rummage sale in the fall and a dinner with the Christmas raffle.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the Richmond Public Library is to provide materials to patrons in the community for educational and recreational purposes.

Richmond Library Mission Statement:
The Richmond Library strives to provide quality materials to the patrons of the community and to meet the educational and recreational needs of the library and the community.
In pursuing our mission, the Richmond Public Library
• Serves as a reference and information center
• Provides materials and programs in a variety of formats to stimulate the communication of ideas and enlighten and enrich personal lives.

Objectives:

Long Range objectives:

To meet the needs of the library and the community and to keep our Technology upgraded.

Short Range objectives:

To get more patrons to use the library

Brief History of the Library:

In the early 1930s the Richmond Library was established and housed in the Rockers-Sigler Insurance Agency office as a reading library. L. P. Jones in 1938 suggested to a group of people, the library be moved to a shelf in his newspaper office. This was accomplished and each person at the meeting donated one book. Mr. Jones served as the town librarian as well as editor of the, Richmond Enterprise. Mrs. Lon Mishler, Mrs. George Deitrich, Mrs. Alfred Sigler, and Mrs. Lee Perkins were the first board
Members. Mr. Jones published in his paper that the City of Richmond now had a legal library.

In 1940 the library had to be moved because Mr. Jones was closing the doors to the, Richmond Enterprise. At this time Clive Bastain offered the walls of his barbershop to the board members and also offered to serve as librarian. He not only read every book in the library but also would keep the Books in order by alphabet but also cataloged them. As people would come in for a haircut he would suggest certain books, as he knew everyone and their likes and dislikes. He served not only the local people but also surrounding communities as well as the high school and grade school. This continued until his death, but still remained in the building he had owned through six Barbers who all became part time librarian

The library joined the Northeast Kansas Library System [NEKLS] in 1968. This has allowed us to use interlibrary loan, rotating videos, rotating large print books, and audio books.

In 1969 with assistance of the NEKLS the library moved into a newly renovated building Across from the barbershop. This feat was accomplished with children’s’ little red wagons and volunteer help. Members of the library board at this time were, Mrs. Martha Chambers, Mrs. J.R. Harnden, Mrs. Alfred Nilges, and Mrs. Charles Schafer. Mrs. Art Rossman. Mrs. Dale Gillouby and Mr. H Marvin Stevens. An open house for the new facility was held 6, June 1970.

• Mrs. Marguerite Roberts became the first paid part time librarian in 1954 until 1972.

In Sept. 1978 the Franklin County Commissioners agreed to give the library $2000 in revenue Sharing funds for the purchase of the building housing the Richmond Public Library today. In February 1988 the restroom was added to the library.

Through the years the purpose of the library has been to supply the citizens of Richmond and the surrounding area with reading materials for pleasure and information.

The library is still in the same building in 2025. We have expanded by purchasing the building next to us.…

Conversation with the Authors
From: 7:00 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026
To: 8:00 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026

Step into Kansas music history through two powerful, story-driven books. Patrick O’Connor’s “Wichita Blues” brings the sound and soul of Wichita to life, revealing how music shaped the city through the voices of African American musicians and the rich history of Black communities in early Kansas. Celebrate the spirit of community with Seth Bate’s “Winfield’s Walnut Valley Festival,” a vibrant look at the festival’s beginnings, unforgettable moments, and the small town that grew into a renowned gathering place for music lovers.

Patrick O’Connor is a native of Kansas, a blues pianist with a Master’s in communications and had a keen interest in people’s stories. In 1989 Seth Bate fell in love with a farm girl and a festival in Kansas, then never left. He holds a Master’s degree in community and local history.

The Library will once again be open for this event. It will be shown on the big TV.

 

 …

Join the Party January 28, 7 – 8 p.m. CT

Richmond Public Library will be showing this on the big TV in the new room

Start your America250 celebration with a January 28, Author Talk featuring Todd Mildfelt and David Schafer, co-writers of “Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind,” the bold story of James Montgomery, fearless abolitionist who led the 2nd South Carolina, a regiment of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Learn More About the January KS250 Author Talk.

Author Talk Online

“Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind” brings the fight for freedom to life, spotlights the abolitionist movement and Civil War through the bold story of James Montgomery, a fearless and militant abolitionist. Montgomery led both Black and white soldiers in the war against slavery. Montgomery continued his mission by supporting and protecting African-American refugees, determined to make Kansas a truly free state.

Todd Mildfelt and David Schafer share a passion to focus attention on the crucial role Kansas played in the nation’s struggle to ensure freedom and equality to all Americans.…

The Little kids of course still have story time on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM.

The adults have 2 crafts in January. The painted sunflower coasters on January 9th and will make Sunflower plaques on January 23rd @ 1:00 PM in honor of Kansas Birthday.

The kids are making puffy snowflakes on January 16th after school.

The kids will have a Kansas Quiz and an edible craft on January 29th in honor of Kansas Birthday, after school.

In February the kids will make 3-D snowmen after school on February 3rd and make and edible Valentines craft on February 13th after school. We will also do some kind of Luna New Year craft on February 17th after school.

The teens will make blow up snowmen on February 20th at 3:30 PM

The adults will have 2 crafts in February. The will make Suet feeders on February 6th @ 1:00 PM. They will make Hummingbird sun catchers on February 20th @ 1:00 PM…

Welcome t0 2026

The Library has a few things in place for January:

The story time kids will still meet Wednesdays at 10:00 AM

Book club is Thursday, January 15th

The Adults have 2 crafts this month. sunflower coasters on theh9th and sunflower plagues on the 23rd [Kansas birthday is January 29th]

The kids will have an edible Kansas craft on the 29th after school along with a Kansas quiz.

We may do a teen craft sometime this month. Still deciding the date.

The library will be CLOSED Monday, January 19th for Martin Luther King…